Lib Dem Voice co-editor Stephen Tall was interviewed on Sky News earlier today about the allegations concerning Chris Rennard — here’s what he had to say:
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9 Comments
A very competent and measured performance, but I’m still left wondering about some of the people at the top of your Party. You mentioned the importance of an independent head to investigate the allegations and in an earlier post your Chief Exec stated that Alistair Webster QC would lead the investigation into the specific allegations.
Now I’m pretty certain that you’d don’t get to have a CV like Alistair Webster QC unless you’re pretty darn good at what you do, I’m also certain he’d make a good job of leading such an investigation. The problem though is that this is politics, are your adversaries going to have a field day with his appointment? I admit when I read that post I had an “Is It Me” moment, is it really wise to appoint some one who is “a former Chairman of the Liberal Democrat Lawyers Association”, said organisation proudly stating that it’s aim is to “…… be a pre-eminent campaigning organisation serving the Liberal Democrat Party and helping with policy formation.”
Isn’t this going to be compared unfavourably with (for instance) the BBC who appointed some one from their largest competitor (Sky) to carry out their investigation?
It appears that you are one of those of the fringe of the Westminster village who just cannot resist your moment of fame, it would be better for all concerned, the women involved, Rennard and the rest of us in the party to keep your mouth shut until the inquiries have been held.
Whatever comes out the party is in for a major reform of procedures and the wings of some high flying know alls in the Westminster sewer being clipped.
It is a wake up call for the national party both in and out of parliament to get real, be more aware to issues and problems and deal with them and not hope they will go away.
David, that’s the view of someone who has not been asked their opinion, and like me, the world doesn’t hang on our utterances.
Stephen, an excellent interview, well balanced and thoughtful. You have gone up in my estimation, perhaps you should be running our media office.
@David Wilkinson,
So what should happen then, Should Sky simply say “nobody from the Lib Dems was available for comment”?
I thought he did really well and should move off the fringe of the Westminister village closer to its centre.
One of the most ‘common sense’ interviews’ by anyone in the political bubble I have heard for a long time. No jargon, no mealy mouthing or avoiding the question – Stephen, you’ll never make a politician..!!
Chris, Peter, Richard, Keith – thanks for your comments, appreciated. If I’m on again I hope it’s in much better circumstances for the party.
David – I understand your point. In fact I turned down Sky News on Sunday as I thought they were just repeating speculation on a loop for no purpose and I had nothing to add. That didn’t stop them running the story (and with extra air-time given to Lembit!).
Yes fair play to you, Stephen, you’re contribution has been like a breath of fresh air. Much respect.
I thought Stephen did well, and I suppose that LDV is the nearest that we have to conservativehome, etc.
I also agree that it is time for the members to take our party back.
Parts of the LibDem response seems faintly ridiculous, in the sense that one of the widely-recognized slang meanings of the verb “to screw” is “to have sexual intercourse with”. Saying “we screwed up” will therefore look like some kind of joke to some people – as if taking the mick.
How many people? Well it seems the BBC and ITV are happy to have the original and variants of Ed Ball’s “Friar Tuck” spoken vicariously many times after the watershed, so these organizations presumably believe there is a large enough audience who regularly accept and understand these slang terms. So it looks like a lot of people will find us risible.
I therefore suggest it might be better to change the image, and say that we “made a mistake”, or “failed”, or “got it badly wrong”, but not “screwed up”! Also, maybe some LibDems need to get out and meet the ordinary, slang-ready people a bit more often?